ACE is a very successful small satellite mission that is measuring the
concentrations of more than 40 atmospheric constituents by absorption
spectroscopy using the Sun as a light source. The initial principal goal
of the ACE mission was to make ozone-related measurements in the
stratosphere, but is now making observations that range from organic
molecules associated with pollution in the troposphere to carbon dioxide
trends in the lower thermosphere. The ACE instruments are an infrared
Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS), a UV/visible/near IR spectrograph
(MAESTRO) and a two-channel solar imager, all working in solar
occultation mode. The high-resolution (0.02 cm–1) FTS is the
primary instrument on the satellite, and it covers the mid-infrared
spectral region (750–4400 cm–1). After 10 years in orbit,
this book overviews and celebrates the ACE mission.

The book is based in part on the presentations made at the joint
ACE-SAGE-III-ISS science team meeting held at Old Dominion University on
October 15–17, 2012. In addition to ACE-related chapters, contributions
associated with other limb-sounding instruments including ALTIUS,
SMILES, SOFIE,HALOE, and SAGE II are also included.